Founded by Robert Fripp, Michael Giles, Greg Lake, Ian McDonald and lyricist Peter Sinfield, the band initially focused on a dramatic sound layered with Mellotron, McDonald's saxophone and flute, and Lake's powerful lead vocals. Their debut album, In the Court of the Crimson King (1969), remains their most commercially successful and influential release, with a potent mixture of jazz, classical and experimental music. Following the sudden simultaneous departures of McDonald and Giles, with Lake also leaving very shortly afterwards, Fripp and Sinfield assumed direction of the group for In the Wake of Poseidon (1970), Lizard (1970), and Islands (1971) with Mel Collins, Boz Burrell and Ian Wallace among the band members during this period. In 1972, Fripp changed the group's instrumentation and approach, drawing from European free improvisation, and developing ever more complex compositions. With Bill Bruford, John Wetton, David Cross and briefly, Jamie Muir, they reached what some saw as a creative peak on Larks' Tongues in Aspic (1973), Starless and Bible Black (1974), and Red (1974). Fripp disbanded this group in 1974.
In 1981, Fripp and Bruford reformed King Crimson with another change in musical direction. The new group also included Adrian Belew and Tony Levin. They drew influence from African music, gamelan, post-punk and New York minimalism. This group lasted three years, resulting in the trio of albums Discipline (1981), Beat (1982) and Three of a Perfect Pair (1984). Following a decade-long hiatus, Fripp revived the group as a sextet he called the "double trio" in 1994 adding Pat Mastelotto and Trey Gunn. This group participated in another three-year cycle of activity that included the release of Thrak (1995), and multiple concert recordings. There was a hiatus between 1997 to 2000. Four members of the previous sextet reunited in 2000 as a more industrial-oriented King Crimson, called the "double duo", releasing The Construkction of Light (2000) and The Power to Believe (2003). After a five year hiatus, the group expanded (in the person of new second drummer Gavin Harrison) for a 2008 tour celebrating the 40th anniversary of their 1968 formation.
Following another hiatus (2009–2012), during which Fripp was thought to be retired, King Crimson came together again in 2013; this time as a septet (and, later, octet) with an unusual three-drumkit frontline, and new second guitarist and singer Jakko Jakszyk. This version of King Crimson continued to tour from 2014 to 2021, and released multiple live albums, rearranging and reinterpreting music from across the band's entire 50-year career for the first time.
Full Wikipedia article: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/KingCrimson
Studio albums
In the Court of the Crimson King (1969)
In the Wake of Poseidon (1970)
Lizard (1970)
Islands (1971)
Larks' Tongues in Aspic (1973)
Starless and Bible Black (1974)
Red (1974)
Discipline (1981)
Beat (1982)
Three of a Perfect Pair (1984)
Thrak (1995)
The Construkction of Light (2000)
The Power to Believe (2003)
(NOTE: Album covers, band images and YouTube links are not available due to certain legal restrictions imposed on Last.fm by King Crimson's management.)
06 Facts Of Life
King Crimson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Six million ants crawling on a plate
None of them give back as much as they take
Six billion ants crawling on a plate
Doesn't mean you should just because you can
It doesn't mean you should just because you can
Like Abraham and Ishmael fighting over sand
That is a fact of life
That is a fact of life
Now some of us build and some of us teach
Some of us build, some of us teach
And some of us kill what some of us eat
That is a fact of life
That is a fact of life
Nobody knows what happens when you die
Nobody knows what happens when you die
Believe what you want, it doesn't mean you're right
That is a fact of life
That is a fact
of life
The song "06 Facts Of Life" by King Crimson explores the nature of existence and the fact that life is not fair. The opening lines conjure up the image of ants crawling on a plate, highlighting the idea that despite the enormous number of them, they do not give back as much as they take. This serves as a metaphor for human beings and society, where some individuals or groups consume more than they contribute. The second verse warns against reckless actions, reminding listeners of the Biblical tale of Abraham and Ishmael fighting over sand, and that just because one has power or ability, it does not mean they should act on it.
The chorus "That is a fact of life" repeats after every verse, driving home the message that life is not always easy to explain or understand. The third verse acknowledges the variety of occupations that humans have, including the fact that some "kill what some of us eat," which addresses the harsh realities of life and the concepts of sustenance and survival. The final verse, "Nobody knows what happens when you die / Believe what you want, it doesn't mean you're right," deals with the uncertainty of human existence and the various beliefs humans hold. The song leaves the listener with the reminder that life can be complicated and challenging, but that it is ultimately up to the individual to navigate it as best they can.
Line by Line Meaning
Six billion ants crawling on a plate
There are an overwhelming amount of people in the world who seem small and insignificant like ants on a plate.
Six million ants crawling on a plate
This line serves as a variation of the previous line, emphasizing the vast amount of people in the world compared to the relatively small amount of personal impact each individual has.
None of them give back as much as they take
People tend to consume more resources than they contribute to the world, contributing to issues like overpopulation, climate change, and resource depletion.
It doesn't mean you should just because you can
Just because something is possible, it does not mean that it is advisable or ethical to do it.
Like Abraham and Ishmael fighting over sand
This line alludes to the centuries-long conflict between Jewish and Muslim communities over land in the Middle East.
That is a fact of life
This refrain emphasizes that these observations are simply inherent aspects of existence and cannot be changed or resolved.
Now some of us build and some of us teach
Individuals have different skills and professions, and some may contribute to society by creating structures or educating future generations.
And some of us kill what some of us eat
Others may contribute to society through the harvesting of food, but this may also entail the ethical and environmental issues associated with animal agriculture and by extension, human consumption.
Nobody knows what happens when you die
The ultimate fate of individuals after death is unknown and open to interpretation, largely depending on belief systems.
Believe what you want, it doesn't mean you're right
Individuals may have their own beliefs and interpretations of the world, but this does not necessarily equate to objective reality or truth.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Universal Music Publishing Group, CALDERWOOD, INC.
Written by: CHRISTOPHER MEREDITH, DONALD DENNIS, PHILLIP BURRELL, SHELDON CAMPBELL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@auswitch
Seis mil millones de hormigas arrastrándose en un plato
Seis millones de hormigas arrastrándose en un plato
Ninguno de ellos devuelve tanto como toma
Seis mil millones de hormigas arrastrándose en un plato
No significa que debas solo porque puedes
No significa que debas solo porque puedes
Como Abraham e Ismael peleándose por arena
No significa que debas solo porque puedes
Eso es un hecho de la vida
Eso es un hecho de la vida
Ahora algunos de nosotros construimos y algunos de nosotros enseñamos
Algunos de nosotros construimos, algunos de nosotros enseñamos
Y algunos de nosotros matamos
Lo que algunos de nosotros comemos
Eso es un hecho de la vida
Eso es un hecho de la vida
Nadie sabe lo que pasa cuando mueres
Nadie sabe lo que pasa cuando mueres
Cree lo que quieras, no significa que tengas razón
Eso es un hecho de la vida
Eso es un hecho
@caiosoares2834
I always misheard Adrian say "Six Billionaires Crawling On A Plane" instead of "Six Billion Ants Crawling On A Plate".
@RavioliTomboli
i thought i was alone, solidarity
@PammyHammy
I thought it was place
@fawzulazimrafid1484
I listened Six million ants crawling on a place
@soneslixo6791
Maybe it was the intention
@itookallthenames
i thought it was ants on a plane so i was a bit closer
@PrimitiveInTheExtreme
Powerful and massive song. 5 perfect minutes.
@calogerobuttacavoli78
Cinque minuti di estasi rock!
@PrimitiveInTheExtreme
@@calogerobuttacavoli78 🚀
@cosmicdrifter287
i Believe you.